Russia’s biggest online shopping platform, Wildberries, has been hit hard by Ukrainian drone attacks on its massive warehouses. One big strike torched a huge logistics hub in Elektrostal, just outside Moscow, with more attacks following on sites in southern Russia. Fires raged, there were casualties, and a ton of goods went up in smoke.

For millions of Russians — especially in places far from regular shops — Wildberries (and its rival Ozon) is basically their go-to for everything from clothes to appliances. These platforms work like giant marketplaces where thousands of small independent sellers store and sell their stuff. Now a bunch of those sellers have lost serious money overnight: one woman selling school supplies saw her whole fresh delivery burn right before the busy back-to-school season, and another lost the equivalent of over £13,000 in teen clothing stock. Many are pausing new shipments because they’re worried about more attacks.

Wildberries’ owner has tried to soften the blow with some discounts and fee waivers, but sellers aren’t expecting full compensation — the company quietly added drone attacks to its “force majeure” list just days before the strikes.

Zelensky openly said Ukraine is bringing the war back to Russia in response to all the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and warehouses. Meanwhile, these hits are piling onto other problems Russian small businesses are already facing: higher taxes, fuel shortages from earlier strikes on refineries, internet disruptions, and a tough economic climate with inflation and falling oil revenues. It’s another blow to businesses that Putin has called vital for keeping the country going during the war.

In short, the attacks are showing how Ukraine’s long-range drones are starting to bite into everyday Russian life and commerce, not just military targets.

  • A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip
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    11 hours ago

    It’s war. You don’t win by constantly questioning if you’re morally at least 2 levels superior to your enemy.

    What you - we all - need to remember is who started this war and why.

    Nothing “questionable” Ukraine does can take that away: this war shouldn’t even have started in the first place. Unprovoked invasion.

    • einkorn@feddit.org
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      10 hours ago

      It’s very concerning to me that most arguments I read here boil down to “At least we are not as bad as Russia”. That’s a very slippery slope to head down.

      • A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip
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        4 hours ago

        It’s war. They’re doing more than just defending themselves. Because how else will they win? Russia isn’t interested in diplomacy and has gigantic backlands to draw from.

        Im repeating myself. Because you’re repeating yourself.